Do not overlook important Constitutional Amendment on ballot

Perhaps you're aware that we have another Election Day coming up soon. We not only have the opportunity to elect a president, U.S. senator, and Congressman but to solidity one of the most fundamental principles upon which our country was founded: the protection of property rights. If you believe in this principle then it's extremely important for everyone, no matter your party affiliation, to vote "yes" for Question 1 (Virginia Eminent Domain Amendment) on the ballot.

This amendment will prohibit eminent domain from being used by government to take property from individuals and then give it to private developers for the purposes of increasing tax revenues.

I'm sure you've all heard of the Kelo vs. City of New London case, in 2005, where the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of allowing New London to take the homes of individual citizens and transfer their land to (a developer working with) the $150 billion drug company Pfizer. This was all done in the name of economic development and tax revenue for the city.

This demonstrates where the court ruled against property rights and allowed the sheriff to evict people from their homes to be bulldozed for "public purpose." A major problem arose, however, the developer was never able to secure financing, and the land was left empty.

Closer to home, two years ago, the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority began proceedings to take businessman Bob Wilson's Central Radio's building and transfer the property to a developer. Central Radio Co. has been in Norfolk for nearly 80 years and employs 100 people. When it was looked in to why the developer was to be given the land it was made known that they had no real specific plans for the land.

Bob Wilson was rightfully upset by this abuse of eminent domain and is currently protesting the government's actions in court.

By voting in favor of the Virginia Eminent Domain Amendment (Question 1) this November, we all have an opportunity to help (people like) Mr. Wilson and to reclaim our own rights. Let's get this done!

GEORGIA ALVIS-LONG

New Hope

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Do not overlook important Constitutional Amendment on ballot

Perhaps you're aware that we have another Election Day coming up soon. We not only have the opportunity to elect a president, U.S.